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Monday, November 3, 2008

An Interview With Designer Charles Faudree & A Book Drawing

When people think of French Country design, they think of Charles Faudree. His work has graced the pages of countless magazines, such as Veranda and Traditional Home. He is also a marvelous writer. His first three books were well received by the design community, serving as inspiration for both professionals and amateurs. The first, Charles Faudree's French Country Signature, shows his precious "decorating dog," Nicholas, resting on a red toile chair--this is a book that I keep on my coffee table because it never fails to provide a jolt of eye candy.

His second and third books--Clarles Faudree's Country French Living and Country French Florals--are also beloved. Mr. Faudree's latest, Charles Faudree Interiors, was recently published by Gibbs-Smith: I was granted an interview with Mr. Faudree (using questions from my blogger friends).Gollum: In your opinion, is there one piece of furniture (armoire, screen, etc.) that’s a “must have”?

Charles Faudree: The must have piece of furniture in my design work would be a commode (chest). It works in most any room.

Gollum: Your interiors reflect balance, using similar accessories, and yet they always seem fresh and beautiful. In my own rooms, many of my tablescapes and mantlescapes seem to fall prey to what I call “Noah’s Ark Syndrome”—pairs and pairs of lamps, accessories. How much is too much of pairs and like objects?

Charles Faudree: Tablescapes need a varience in heights as well as a space for the eye to rest.

Gollum: Do you design a room around an inspiration piece, or do you begin with a fabric or a rug?

Charles Faudree: When designing a room you can begin with a specific piece of furniture, a rug or fabric. You usually determine this through conversing with the client to determine the importance of one over the other.

Gollum: Is it possible for the French Country look to be achieved on a budget?

Charles Faudree: Yes you can achieve the French Country look on a budget by painting a piece of furniture that you already own and selecting fabrics wisely.

Gollum: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose

Charles Faudree: There are plans for another book. It would be "about the Mix".

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Mr. Faudree's new book, please leave a message. The drawing will be held later this month. Or, if you are like me (and can't wait), you can hop over to his website. You can also order the book there, too, at Charles Faudree.com

87 comments:

Charles Faudree is definitely one of my favorite designers! I love the more is more philosophy. That Red Toile room just makes my heart sing. Of course, I would be interested in winning his new book. Please, throw my name in the hat! Gollum, your questions were absolutely great. I'd love to know if the interview took place via email or another venue. Please tell us all about it.

Little side note here.... I love the character's name "Joie" in Mermaids. Love that you resurrected the DeChavannes family from Mad Girls. They are a delight. Going to try to finish my TO DO list early today so that I might finish reading Mermaids. Enjoy your day.... it's back to work for me.Carol

Gollum, am I having 'another' Senior Moment? I cud have sworn your Post was on Cloud gazing.

Shall hop right over to Monsieur Faudree's website to take a look at his latest book. Hopefully I can order it from Chapters Bookstore online. (I may receive it quicker.) Thank you so much for sharing the information. With appreciation....P.S: I already have a number of books on my Christmas List written by a specific Author whom YOU are very familar with :).

What a blessed lady you are to interview Mr. Faudree. He has inspired me & my design style for years & is the main reason I have such a large collection of blue & white porcelain. His rooms are magic. His new book just went to the top of my holiday wish list. That is unless I'm the lucky winner. Patty Ann

Dear Gollum,I just finished reading 'She Flew the Coop'. I loved it, such memorable characters. I'm just sad it's over :(. I just got Mr. Faudree's new book but haven't read it yet- been otherwise occupied!Christy

The famous, interviewing the famous! What a great blog post! I recognized most of the pictures of his rooms, because I have loved his work since the first time I saw it in Traditional Home years ago. Thank you for featuring one of my favorite designers. laurie

I love the interview, he is my favorite designer, I have magazine articles going back years! I have all his books, including both of his latest, I have been hitting the magazine stands hoping that there would be a feature on him for Christmas time, haven't seen anything yet, but it is still early (the Christmas issue of Traditional Home is not out yet, crossing fingers LOL)Thanks again for the interview!

*GG, OK, soooo does he have a NICE VOICE?!?!? (I've always thought he would, cuz a friend of ours, from "his neck o' the woods", DOES!)~~~ I STILL have memories of just drooooling over his "more-is/better" spaces shown in magazines and his books, and of course, his collection of all things dog-related in EACH of the many, TOO-FAB homes he's ever had! (Well "DUH!", coming from ME, huh?!?!). What a highlightfor you in your already interesting career, and as ALWAYS, we lovvve it when you share!!! So, big THANKS and many hugs, kiddo! (And hope you're enjoying your company!)~ Linda

OOPS! Did something wrong here!~~~ ANYHOO, just wanted to ADD that my taste hasn't really "changed" that much over the years (I STILL love anything beautiful and well done!!!), buuuuut my PERSONAL PREFERENCE, for the lifestyle Jim & I enjoy now, is more on the lines of the faaaabulous "cabin/lodge" space you showed... it's just soooooo rustically elegant n' oh-so-comfy, IMHO anyway!!! AND, I so love it that EVERYONE does/prefers "something different", so we can ALL ENJOY the various delicious yummies out there in "designland", that SOOOOO to delight the eye! XOX, Me

Afternoon, Dear Gollum! I love Charles Faudree and have most of these books you're featuring today! How wonderful you were allowed to interview this wise man! Now I knew I loved him the minute I saw those precious little fuzzy faces of his!! And he also collects little doggies - I do too! Does that mean something?!Drop my tiny name in the hat! I'd take a duplicate of what I already have!!

You know my love of all things French Country has me lusting after this new book. I have not had the pleasure of thumbing through it yet but I know it will be filled with wonderful images as his other books are! Please add my name to the hat!

Oh, my goodness....thank you so much for this wonderful post. How nice that you met him and talked. I so enjoyed your questions and his answers.I would faint, fall over dead and wet myself if I won a beautiful book of his. Would you kindly add me to your list?And, many thanks for giving us the chance to win this treasure....love, bj

What a wonderful opportunity to interview Mr. Faudree!!! Great questions and I would LOVE to win the book. His work is such an inspiration for anyone, on a big or small budget! Thanks for sharing the interview! Hugs, Pinky

I have avoided blogs for awhile because I get so hooked. I am in school and have to study twice as long as when I was young...but how glad amd I to return to your wonderful sight! Fun to see names I remember from rms. I may be once again addicted! Please add me to your book drawing.

I decided to take a "late" swing through some of my favorites and to my delight see this post.. What an incredible time you must have had with one of the greatest designers I know.. Like so many of the others I have many of his books and pour through them constantly..as you said...they never fail to provide some great eye candy.. would love to add his latest to my collection... How is your project coming along? I'm wondering.. did you get "your" shelf home??? hugs ~lynne~

Hi Michael, I love, love, love Faudree so just loved hearing his answers to your questions! I've always enjoyed reading/viewing the articles about him over the years in Traditional Home Magazine. I was wondering if you were able to ask any more questions and if there might be a sequel to this post in the future? :-) Susan

Gollum, What a WONDERFUL posting with my re-introduction to Mr. Faudree. I have admired his work for years and your questions were right on the money. I left an email for him, telling him that YOU are the REASON for my excitement and intro. Put my ticket in the hat...would LOVE one of his books. Thanks Golllum...for inspiring yet once again. Hugs....Lizkid/Janet

Hello Gollum, Mr Faudree's books and designs are really beautiful, I enjoyed your post and the interview and would love to own his latest book, please add my name to your draw. St Paul looks wonderful, one site called it "the most beautiful village in the world", I am off to do some more research, France is only an hour away and I am sure I could persuade my daughter to join me, bye bye for now, Kathy

So amazing to get design answers from the "living legend" himself! What an honor it must have been to interview him. Thanks for sharing his insights with us, and for the chance to win his book. Jules:)

My heart almost skipped a beat when he answered St. Paul - until I realized it wasn't Minnesota! Please count me in for the drawing. BTW, I picked up Crazy Ladies from our Border's Books. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, my Mom snatched it up right away. I hoping to get it back in time for my day off on Friday. ~ Robyn

Gollum....Thank you so much for the interview with one of the 'great ones'...Charles Faudree. Please enter my name into the hat. Would feel like I have hit the 'jackpot' if I was a winner!! Verne [redprosper @RMS]

How fun to have had an interveiw with him! I love that bathroom with the antiqued white vanity...gorgeous! Some day in the near furture I will be doing my master bath and that's the look I want to go for, thanks for showing us these beautiful spaces.

It looks like not only My Faudree is popular, but I see his dogs are shown in an ad in the November issue of Tradition Home magazine. His book, 'C.F. Interiors', is also being featured in the book club I belong too. Seems like your interview was very timely Gollum. ;)

WOW...four chances to win a beautiful book from the master. thanks....leaving on a much needed vacation and will return on 11/16. Hugs to all and talk with you when I return. Going to Mexico for the first time ever and will enjoy taking in the 'flavor'. LIZKID/JANET

Whew! Sorry I've been MIA lately, but me and the pooter haven't been feeling well. How cool that you got to interview this decor guru!!!!!!!!! Ooh, I just loved that picture of the log house. Gorgeous!!!!!!!

Gollum, Your interview with Charles Faudree with the photos intermixed was a joy to read. I, too, felt the rustic living room speaking home to me. Please add me to your list for a copy of his book! After traveling most of October, I sat down yesterday to catch up on your blog. I knew something was up when I saw people addressing you as "Michael." I found Susan's big reveal, but I haven't seen Buffie's yet. I'm heading to the book store to buy one of your books--any one will do! I was born in the South and lived there until I was married, so I look forward to meeting your heroines. What if you'd never broken your leg? LOL! Fieldstone/Pam

Oh please enter me in your give away for Mr. Faudree's books! I'm not familiar with designers but I love French Country and would love to learn more about him. I was hoping he would give away one of his adorable King Charles doggies!

Love the use of colors ... why does every other decorator these days use white exclusively? I call it the the ikea-i-zation of america. Not that ikea is all bad, but is it the only way to decorate?As for getting one of his Cavaliers, as someone suggested, a Cavalier owner would sooner lose their fortune than lose their Cavalier. After all, we lost our hearts long ago when we got our first Cavalier. What's money when you've lost your heart?

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